2 officers dismissed from Naval Academy

January 17, 1995

Two Navy officers stationed at the U.S. Naval Academy have been dismissed from the school, one for allegedly soliciting a prostitute and another for drinking alcohol with several under-age midshipmen cheerleaders.

Lt. Cmdr. Mark J. Rossano, 36, and an unidentified Navy lieutenant who worked with the cheering squad were dismissed by the academy's superintendent, Adm. Charles R. Larson, after the episodes, both of which took place in September.

"Both of the cases were disposed of at admiral's mast," said Capt. Tom Jurkowsky, an academy spokesman, referring to a nonjudicial proceeding where punishment is meted out.

Commander Rossano taught in the Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering Department and since has been transferred to another command. He was arrested Sept. 27 for allegedly trying to buy sex from an undercover female Annapolis police officer during a prostitution sting. He is to be tried Feb. 12 in Annapolis District Court on a charge of soliciting for prostitution.

The lieutenant, who was not identified, left the Navy after being fined and given a disciplinary letter, according to an academy source familiar with the case.

Admiral Larson, who took over the academy after the school's largest cheating scandal in its 150 years, has said he will not tolerate officers or midshipmen whose behavior brings discredit on the academy or the Navy.